USDA promotes agricultural trade and investment through an array of technical assistance activities in emerging markets.

Through the engagement of both the private and public sectors, these trade and investment programs work to reduce institutional and technical barriers to trade, support the development of trade policies and regulations consistent with the World Trade Organization, improve marketing infrastructure, and nurture the development of agribusiness linkages and networks.

Such trade and investment promotion is achieved through short- and medium-term technical assistance training programs.

Trade and Investment Missions:

Success Stories

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to the Central America Region, Guatemala City, Guatemala, September 21-24, 2008

U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission, to the North Africa Region, Casablanca/Meknes, Morocco, April 20–25, 2008

Building U.S. Agricultural Trade Opportunities In The Heart Of Africa (USDA Radio News; 03/13/08 - real, mp3, wave)

U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission, to the West and Central Africa Region, Accra, Ghana, March 10 - 14, 2008

U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan, July 23–28, 2006

U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to the Republic of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia, June 11–15, 2007

U.S. Agribusiness Trade and Investment Mission to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan, July 23–28, 2006

Promoting Agricultural Exports and Agribusiness Investment

• Reducing Trade Barriers:

  • Improvement of Host-Country Marketing Infrastructure and Institutions

    • Cold Chain Enhancement

    • Facilities Guarantee Program Promotion

    • Market Information Systems Development

  • Trade and Agricultural Policy Development

    • Workshops for Policymakers

    • Technical Seminars on WTO and SPS Issues

  • Regulatory Frameworks Development

    • Biotechnology Training

    • Food Grades and Standards Assistance
       

• Fostering Agribusiness Linkages:

  • Trade & Investment Missions

    • Identification of Agribusiness Opportunities for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

  • Programs to Improve Local Business and Investment Conditions

    • Assistance with Development of Investment Promotion Agencies
       

• Increasing Consumer Demand:

  • Retail System Improvement

    • Merchandising Training

    • Food Safety and Labeling Workshops

  • Association Building

    • Development of Farmer Cooperatives and Commodity Associations

  • Consumer Education

    • Training Programs on Nutrition, Food Handling & Preparation

Programming Areas